Overview

Are you starting to explore what it means to attract new customers outside the U.S.? The international marketplace offers a world of business opportunities. The SBDC can help your business become a successful competitor in foreign markets by helping you plan and implement your exporting strategy.

Services

When you work with the Pennsylvania SBDC, an international trade consultant will help you identify the best foreign markets for your company's products or services and will help you locate specific trade leads. Companies may also receive assistance with importing products to the U.S.

The SBDC work closely with Pennsylvania's overseas offices, where in-country experts will review your international strategy and help you refine and hone your approach. Further assistance is offered by the Center for International Regulatory Assistance (CITRA) located at the Duquesne University SBDC, which helps U.S. companies comply with European trade regulations and CE markings.

Resources

• DCED Virtual Trade Advisor - If you’re ready to start or expand your export business, you’ll find the information you need with the free interactive Virtual Trade Advisor. You can locate the best markets for your product with our market statistics reports or receive recommendations and help on everything from trade regulations to generating leads and finding grants and financing.
• Access the U.S. Commercial Service Market Research Library containing more than 100,000 industry and country-specific market reports, authored by our specialists working in overseas posts.
• U.S. International Trade Administration - International Trade Finance Guide - This guide is designed to help U.S. companies, especially small- and medium-sized enterprises, learn the basic fundamentals of trade finance so that they can turn their export opportunities into actual sales and achieve the ultimate goal of getting paid.
• The U.S. Department of State's Direct Line Program provides a unique opportunity for American businesses, particularly small- and medium-sized enterprises, to engage directly via teleconference with U.S. Ambassadors overseas. The program is open to American companies which are already in the country where the Ambassador serves or which are interested in expanding their businesses into those countries.

Educational Events

As part of the SBDC's core services, educational events are offered across the 18-center network to help you familiarize yourself with international trade issues such as international insurance, cross-cultural communications, logistics and tax regulations. Click here to search events.

Partner Events

U.S. Commercial Service - Basics of Exporting Webinar Series           Learn how your company can tap into the Global Marketplace! As part of the National Export Initiative, the Commerce Department’s Trade Information Center is offering a series of webinars on the basics of exporting.

Gateway to Europe in Minnesota; Western, Central and Eastern Europe
Minnesota, June 4-5, 2013
This annual conference will bring more than 25 Senior Commercial Diplomats and U.S. international trade officials covering the European, Russian and Turkish markets. This conference is an excellent opportunity for businesses—especially small and medium size businesses—to ask questions in one-on-one consultations about selling their products and services internationally. Participants will discover how to identify new export opportunities, increase market share and competitive edge, and develop strategic relationships with those that are on the forefront of business and exporting in these key markets.

Opportunities in Central America Business Development Conference & Trade Mission
Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Belize, July 15-19, 2013
The U.S. Commercial Service is organizing a trade mission in conjunction with the Opportunities in Central America Business Development Conference in San Jose, Costa Rica on July 15-19, 2013. Trade mission participants will be able to take part in the conference and have business-to-business meetings in two of the partnering countries. The mission is open to U.S. companies from a cross section of industries with potential for growth in Central America, but focusing on best prospects including construction equipment/road building machinery, medical equipment and devices, and safety/security.

Trade Mission to Colombia
Colombia, September 9-12, 2013
The U.S. Department of Commerce is organizing a multi-industry trade mission, which will provide participants the optimal venue to connect directly with business opportunities in the region. The purpose of this mission is to assist U.S. companies in launching or increasing exports of U.S. goods or services to Colombia. The mission will include business-to-business matchmaking appointments with local companies, as well as market briefings and networking events. The mission is open to U.S. companies from a cross section of industries with growing potential in Colombia, including, but not limited to safety and security equipment and services, medical equipment, cosmetics, agricultural machinery, and information technology.